My Mother-in-Law Agreed to Be Our Surrogate—But When the Baby Was Born, She Said, ‘You’re Not Taking Him’
I thought I’d married into the perfect family—until my mother-in-law’s generous surrogacy offer turned into a nightmare.
I met Arthur at a wedding; he charmed me with his thoughtfulness, remembering tiny details like my tea preferences. We married two years later in a lakeside ceremony. His mom, Linda, was warm and loving, calling me “sweetheart” and treating me like a daughter.
Eager for kids at 34, we faced infertility. After failed attempts and three IVF rounds, heartbreak consumed us. Linda, 52 and healthy, offered to be our gestational surrogate. Shocked but desperate, we agreed after counseling, contracts, and clearances. She insisted it was a gift.
The embryo implanted first try. Linda sent joyful updates, bump photos, and called it “your miracle.” But by month seven, she said “my baby” and joked he’d stay with her.
Labor came early. In the hospital, after Neil’s birth, Linda clutched him: “He’s not ready to go with you. He knows his real mother.” She demanded we leave, claiming the baby as hers.
Stunned, we waited hours. A doctor cited postpartum issues. Finally, nurses handed us Neil with paperwork confirming our parenthood.
But at 2 a.m., Linda called screaming we’d tricked her. Arthur retrieved documents; she threatened police.
She sued for custody, claiming manipulation and trauma. Her family sided with her. Court papers arrived swiftly.
In court, our lawyer presented DNA (ours), contracts, and her loving texts as “Grandma.” Judge ruled swiftly: full custody to us.
Linda warned Neil would learn we “stole” him. Her family harassed us. Exhausted, we paid her professional surrogate fees to end it.
We cut contact, moved states, and started over. Family? Easier without. Stick to strangers for surrogacy.
